EASTON, REDDING, REGION 9 JOINT BOARDS OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
Friday, July 16, 2021 -5.00 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom – Details Below
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Minutes
ATTENDANCE
Board members:
Easton: Stinson, Hicks, Parker, Wible
Redding: Parkin, Whaley, Pilato, Hoffman, Reilly, Hocker
Region 9: Johnston, Graziano, Williams, O’Brien, Denny, Pampel (5:07 p.m.), D’Agostino (5:14 p.m.)
Administration: Dr. McMorran (5:37 p.m.)
Others: 39 members of the staff and public.
CALL TO ORDER
C. Parkin called the Redding Board of Education Regular meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
J. Stinson called the Easton Board of Education Regular meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
T. Johnston called the Redding Board of Education Regular meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
MUTUAL TERMINATION OF CONTRACT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
C. Parkin explained the background for the mutual termination of contract.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education consent to the termination of the contract of Dr. Rydell Harrison as Superintendent of Schools effective July 19, 2021 pursuant to Section 10(A) of his contract of employment and extend its gratitude to Dr. Harrison for his service. Hoffman, Reilly. Unanimous. 6-0.
Motion: move that the Easton Board of Education consent to the termination of the contract of Dr. Rydell Harrison as Superintendent of Schools effective July 19, 2021 pursuant to Section 10(A) of his contract of employment and extend its gratitude to Dr. Harrison for his service. Wible, Hicks. Unanimous. 4-0.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education consent to the termination of the contract of Dr. Rydell Harrison as Superintendent of Schools effective July 19, 2021 pursuant to Section 10(A) of his contract of employment and extend its gratitude to Dr. Harrison for his service. O’Brien, Williams. Unanimous. 6-0.
C. Parkin thanked Dr. Harrison.
APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT
C. Parkin explained the appointment of the interim Superintendent is the recommendation of the Superintendent Search Steering Committee. Discussion included the consensus of the Steering Committee, the stability that Dr. McMorran can uniquely provide, and the amicability of the transition.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education appoint Dr. Thomas McMorran as interim Superintendent of Schools effective July 20, 2021. Hoffman, Whaley. Unanimous. 6-0.
Motion: move that the Easton Board of Education appoint Dr. Thomas McMorran as interim Superintendent of Schools effective July 20, 2021. Parker, Hicks. Unanimous. 4-0.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education appoint Dr. Thomas McMorran as interim Superintendent of Schools effective July 20, 2021. O’Brien, Williams. Unanimous. 6-0.
CONTRACT FOR INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT
M. D’Agostino joined at 5:14 p.m. C. Parkin explained the next step was to approve a contract for the interim Superintendent.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education approve the contract of employment for Dr. McMorran as Interim Superintendent for a period beginning July 20, 2021 and authorize the chair to execute the contract and any other documents necessary to effect his appointment. Hoffman, Whaley. Unanimous. 6-0.
Motion: move that the Easton Board of Education approve the contract of employment for Dr. McMorran as Interim Superintendent for a period beginning July 20, 2021 and authorize the chair to execute the contract and any other documents necessary to effect his appointment. Parker, Wible. Unanimous. 4-0.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education approve the contract of employment for Dr. McMorran as Interim Superintendent for a period beginning July 20, 2021 and authorize the chair to execute the contract and any other documents necessary to effect his appointment. Pampel, O’Brien. Unanimous. 7-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Debbi Barer, Hay St, Easton: Thanked Dr. Harrison for his work, Dr. McMorran for coming back and Sarah Lehberger as the newest member of the Easton Board.
Drew Luca, Fire Hill Rd, Redding: Thanked Dr. McMorran and encouraged the Boards to consider a candidate that will unite the whole community and adopting a better professional conduct statement policy.
Lou DiPietro, Jesse Lee Drive, Easton: Thanked the Boards. Explained many are upset by the comments made by Dr. Bindeglass, and hopes the Boards will have a plan of action to nip things like this in the bud. Thanked Dr. McMorran, and was curious as to why the change of leadership was not effective immediately.
June Logie, Rock House Rd, Easton: Wished Dr. Harrison well, thanked the Boards for acting quickly, welcomed Dr. McMorran and echoed the sentiment that the new Superintendent should support the entire population.
Maureen Hanley, Andrews Rd, Easton: Would wish anybody well, but explained that Dr. Harrison did not return communications regarding the special needs of her daughter or in regards to specific challenges with the mask mandates for a child with severe asthma. Thanked Dr. McMorran and hopes he will be supported.
Dana Benson, Pond Rd, Easton: Thanked the Board for moving quickly and provided information as to how and when the community can contact Dr. Erardi to provide feedback to the Superintendent Search.
Beatrix Erikson, Side Cut Rd, Redding: Encouraged the Boards as they return to in-person meetings to consider continuing Zoom and in-person meetings so members of the community can still participate as they multi-task.
Agnes Bebon, Black Rock Turnpike, Easton: Echoed her support of hybrid meetings because it is the most inclusive and accessible way to meet.
Dana Benson, Pond Rd, Easton: Read the schedule he had for Dr. Erardi’s seminar and provided Dr. Erardi’s email address.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
H. Whaley provided Dr. Erardi’s schedule and suggested that perhaps Dr. Erardi could add a session to be conducted over Zoom.
C. Pilato explained that hybrid meetings are very challenging to conduct, but switching to all-in-person should not be interpreted as a sign the Boards do not want to hear from the community.
C. Parkin took a moment to hold up and thank the members of the Boards, he thanked Dr. Harrison and regrets that Dr. Harrison is leaving.
D. Wible thanked C. Parkin for his words, thanked Dr. Harrison for finding a way to open schools when many others did not, and suggested that if community members have questions, reach out to the Boards who are all working together.
J. Stinson thanked Dr. Harrison and explained it was magical to see him in action as they walked the school. He also thanked Dr. McMorran and his fellow chairs.
Dr. McMorran joined the meeting at 5:37 p.m.
M. D’Agostino echoed and appreciated C. Parkin’s and D. Wible’s words, thanked Dr. Harrison, and said our schools are great and a source of pride, and we should work together to get beyond the divisive rhetoric.
C. Graziano agreed with Board Members’ comments, explained that ER9.org is the official source for information regarding the Superintendent Search and includes Board Member email addresses if the community would like to participate. She thanked the Chairs, staff, Board Members, Dr. Harrison and Dr. McMorran.
M. Williams echoed C. Graziano’s comments and clarified the meeting times at Barlow with Dr. Erardi for the Superintendent Search and explained Dr. Erardi would also accept emails, and that those emails could be shared amongst the Boards.
T. Johnston thanked Dr. Harrison and Dr. McMorran.
C. Parkin clarified the structure of the Personnel Search Steering Committee that is chaired by M. Williams and C. Graziano and is assisted by Dr. Erardi, the search consultant, and explained that there are multiple opportunities for the community to provide feedback.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Easton Board of Education by adjourned. (Hicks, Parker). Unanimous consent.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education by adjourned. (Reilly, Hoffman) Unanimous consent.
Motion: move that the Region 9 Board of Education by adjourned. (O’Brien, D’Agostino) Unanimous consent.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
Submitted by Colleen Pilato
Secretary, Redding Board of Education